WHITE RIVER JCT., Vt. (WCAX) – A survey at Hartford Middle School is gauging whether students feel they belong. It was created by students and will eventually lead to permanent changes throughout the building.
Fostering a sense of belonging in any community is something that does not happen easily. Because of that, a group of students at Hartford Middle School are working on it every single day.
When Hartford Middle Schoolers hit the hallways, the “Belonging Group” gathers in the cafeteria.
“If you are sitting by yourself in the corner or something, I bet that does not feel good at all,” said Chuck Looby, an 8th grader on the team helping to identify areas of the school where improvements can be made and kids don’t feel left out. “I don’t want people to feel like that.”
An anonymous survey was created with the help of high school senior Harper Fallon, an intern at the school. It aims to find out where kids feel safe and where they don’t.
“I think it is definitely people feeling like they have to be someone that they are not,” said Ezra Tane, an 8th grader.
The results will be tabulated with the goal of improving a sense of belonging for everyone. “So people can feel like they can be themselves,” Tane said.
“Sixth grade was a little tough for me,” Fallon admitted. “You are new and everybody is so comfortable in this place already that you don’t know how to feel comfortable.”
Educators will tell you middle school can be a difficult age. “It’s our job to create a space where they feel that belonging,” said Hartford Middle School Principal Cody Tancreti. And he says it’s crucial for students to be part of that process. “There is going to be changes that happen here at this school whether it’s a schedule or a system or more staff members in the hallway during passing time.”
“We want to do something for them,” said Bella Lombardi. “We are hoping that everybody feels like they are part of a community.”
Administrators say the changes made at the school could potentially be made throughout the district, creating a sense of belonging for all students.